Birmingham City boss hails victory against Derby County

Alex McLeish admitted getting back to winning ways was the most important thing after watching his Birmingham side come off second best for large spells of their Coca-Cola Championship encounter against Derby.

Alex McLeish admitted getting back to winning ways was the most important thing after watching his Birmingham side come off second best for large spells of their Coca-Cola Championship encounter against Derby.

Lee Carsley nodded in the only goal of the game from Hameur Bouazza's cross after 59 minutes, although James McFadden was adamant he landed the final touch.

The result was harsh on a Rams side who had completely dominated Blues in the opening 45 minutes with Rob Hulse and Kris Commons wasting great chances.

Blues improved after the break and held on for all three points, although the visitors did have further chances to snatch a share of the spoils late on through Hulse and Miles Addison.

McLeish was just relieved to pick up three points after watching his side win just one of their last seven games in all competitions.

"It was hugely important," said the Blues boss. "Obviously we would love to find that after a dismal performance like we had at the weekend (against Blackpool) that we would come and play like Brazil, but I don't think that was ever going to be the case.

"You could see some nerves on show but I don't think you could say that the spirit wasn't there and the determination of the players wasn't there or indeed the perseverance.

"We went from the start right to the very end and showed great energy and urgency in every part of the game.

"I think we'll look at it now and say one out of one and look at the next 51 points that are ahead of us.

"We needed that shot in the arm of confidence, the players are

delighted in the dressing room. There will be a spring in our step in training over the next few days."

As for who got the vital goal that took Blues to within four points of league leaders Wolves, he added: "I don't know, I don't care."

Opposite number Nigel Clough was understandably more than disappointed to come away with no reward from what he revealed some of his Derby players felt was their best display of the season.

"I'm very, very pleased with the performance and with everything but the result," said the Rams boss. "It was excellent from the first minute to the last.

"It epitomises the sort of game when you're in the top six and when you're in the bottom six.

"We kept the ball well, we created chances throughout and a couple of lads in the dressing room are saying that's the best we've played all season.

"So there's a fair bit of disbelief that we didn't get anything from it."

The defeat, along with results elsewhere, sent Derby into the bottom three in the table, but Clough insists everyone at the club needs to remain positive.

"That's what happens sometimes with the results, a few surprising ones this evening. But the most important thing is to take the positives from the game and if we play like that for the remainder of the season then we'll be fine," he added.

"We have to keep believing that and keep working as hard, if not harder than they have done here."